V rating is the next step for speeds up to 240 kph. Z, W and Y are ratings for speeds over 240 kph. The rating is the speed the tire has been tested to for continuous safe driving. The English equivalent speed for H-rated tires is 130 mph and V-rated tires are good for up to 149 mph.
What is the difference between H and V rated tires?
To support running at higher speeds, V-rated tires will have a stiffer sidewall and slightly firmer ride than H-rated tires. For normal driving conditions the H-rated tire will provide a more comfortable ride and the V-rated should give slightly better handling.. Discover Answers for +21 related questions.
Why is the letter h on the speed ratings for tires?
14/02/2020 · Should I get H or V rated tires? V rating is the next step for speeds up to 240 kph. Z, W and Y are ratings for speeds over 240 kph. The rating is the speed the tire has been tested to for continuous safe driving. The English equivalent speed for H-rated tires is 130 mph and V-rated tires are good for up to 149 mph. Click to see full answer.
What is the difference between the different tire speed ratings?
H-rated tires will have rubber compounds and tread designs optimized for all weather performance and long tread life. Performance tires, including many V-rated models, are optimized for dry road traction and handling. A driver who likes to drive aggressively and test the performance levels of his car would be happier with V-rated tires. H-rated tires are suited for a …
Should you buy H-rated or V-rated tires for your car?
Family vans and sedans will go well with S- or T-rated tires. Sedans and coupes will get enough speed from U-rated tires. Sport sedans and coupes can start with H- or V-rated tires. Exotic sports cars will work great with the high-speed capable W-, Y-, and (Y)-rated tires. Heavy-duty light trucks will go with R-rated tires.
Can I use V-rated tires instead of H?
A V-rated car requires a tire designed to operate to a maximum of 149 mph and can thus not be fitted with an H-rated tire.
Can I use V-rated tires instead of W?
Nissan, Cadillac, Toyota, and Honda are currently using higher original equipment or V-rated tires on approximately 70% of their brand new vehicles. A V rating represents 149 mph but no faster. W, on the other hand, means the tires can achieve maximum speeds of up to 168 mph.25-Feb-2019
Can I mix H and V-rated tires?
Just remember, never mix and match tires with different speed ratings on your vehicle. This will cause major problems with the handling of your vehicle. If tires of different speed ratings are mounted on a vehicle, the lower speed-rated tires should be placed on the front axle, regardless of which axle is driven.26-Apr-2013
Is an H speed rating good?
Lower speed ratings (such as A8 or B) will mean that you won't have good control or handling of the car at highway speeds. Higher speed ratings, like H or ZR, can handle far beyond a normal highway speed. For example, “H” would translate to a tire that can only handle speeds up to 130 mph (or 210 km/h).25-Sept-2020
What is H tire rating?
H-Rated tires with shorter life spans become more common Speed ratings indicate the highest speed a tire maker considers safe for that tire to travel and is designated by letters such as Q, S, T, H, V, and Z along with the tire size information on the sidewall. All these ratings cover speeds well above legal limits.08-Oct-2009
Is Wa higher speed rating than V?
In imperial terms, the difference between each letter is approximately 6mph. V, Z, W, Y and (Y) are for sports cars. ... For example, most family cars will have a tyre speed rating that is higher than the car's maximum speed.
Should all 4 tires have same speed rating?
In general, all tires on the vehicle should be the same speed rating and replacement tires should have a speed rating equal to or greater than the speed rating of the OE tires.” “Tires with different speed ratings may vary in ride, handling and/or other performance characteristics.
Can I put 2 different brands of tires on my car?
Primarily, you should avoid mixing different tire brands and different tread patterns. There are rare exceptions for approved mixed-tire fittings, but in general, manufacturers do not recommend tire mixing at all.
Does speed rating affect tire wear?
You will gain nothing in any other aspect of the tire, such as tire life, treadwear, or what have you. In fact, the higher speed rating doesn't have much to do with cornering ability, either. Just the speed factor of the tire itself. There is no relationship between the speed rating and the longevity of the tire.
What is V speed rating?
SPEED RATING V Once the highest speed rating a tire could have, “V” used to represent a maximum of 149 mph (240 kph) or more. Nowadays, it means 149 mph but no higher.01-Apr-2021
What speed rating do I need?
Tire Speed Rating ChartSpeed SymbolMaximum SpeedVehicle TypeT118 mphFamily Sedans & VansU124 mphH130 mphSport Sedans & CoupesV149 mphSport Sedans, Coupes & Sports Cars10 more rows
What is the difference between tire speed rating H and T?
The “T” or “H” on tires pertain to their speed ratings. A T-rated tire can withstand top speeds of up to 118 mph (190 km/h), while an H-rated tire can support up to 130 mph (210 km/h). It is important to note these markings and stay within those speed limits.
Why are tires important?
Tires are a critical component of your car. They have a tremendous effect on the safety and handling of a vehicle. When it is time to buy new tires, several factors need to be considered before making a selection.
What should be considered when selecting tires?
Car make and model, tire size, driving style and the local weather conditions should all be considered when selecting tires. Tires have information and ratings that assist the consumer in selecting the best-suited tires.
How fast can a H rated tire go?
The rating is the speed the tire has been tested to for continuous safe driving. The English equivalent speed for H-rated tires is 130 mph and V-rated tires are good for up to 149 mph.
Who is Tim Plaehn?
Tim Plaehn has been writing financial, investment and trading articles and blogs since 2007. His work has appeared online at Seeking Alpha, Marketwatch.com and various other websites. Plaehn has a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the U.S. Air Force Academy. Tire Rating: Touring Vs.
Do H rated tires come in V rated?
Although there is a lot of crossover, the H-rated tires will be available in more taller profile sizes and, as the tire profile gets lower, more tires will be available in V-rated or higher speed ratings. Switching from H-rated tires to the higher speed V-rated ones may require the selection of a different size tire.
What does the letter H mean in speed?
The letters "H" and "V" represent speed ratings. Speed ratings originated in Germany in the early 1980s to give consumers information on how fast they could safely use the tires on the autobahn. Passenger speed ratings are designated L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, U and H, stepping in rated speed from 120 kilometers per hour up to 210 kph.
Can you switch from H rated tires to V rated tires?
Switching from H-rated tires to the higher speed V-rated ones may require the selection of a different size tire. There can also be a significant price difference between similar tires as the speed rating increases.
What is a speed rating?
A speed rating is a letter or a combination of a letter and a number which implies to what extent the tire successfully dissipates heat. Exceeding that speed will make the tire performance differ from the initial specifications.
How fast does a tire rotate?
It then rotates the tested tire, increasing speeds by 6.2 mph every 10 minutes. As the rotation reaches the estimated maximum speed for the tire, the specialist checks whether the tire keeps its integrity.
Do you see the speed rating on tires?
As for the tire codes, there you will see a speed rating for the particular tire. There will be no vehicle-related recommendations, so it would be wise to consult both the vehicle manufacturer’s suggestions and the markings on the tires.
How fast does a low rated tire go?
Take two tires with the speed ratings S and V and ride them at 100 km/h. As the V tire comes to a full stop, the S tire still goes at about 25 km/h.
Does heat up make tires more responsive?
Heat-up may follow and add to the condition. Steering responsiveness. Less flex and the overall construction of the tires with a higher speed rating will make your vehicle more responsive. So, you won’t have to turn the steering wheel more and wait for the reaction of your tires.
Is it safe to downgrade tires?
However, you can go a bit higher if you have extreme weather conditions in your area, or if the roads are bad, etc. Downgrading tires is strongly not recommended, as the maximum speed and performance will degrade, endangering you and the vehicle.
Why do tires have heat build up?
Heat build-up. Tires with lower ratings flex harder under pressure, which causes heat build-up . It may cause a wide range of issues, from premature aging to tire failure and immediate blowouts. Tires with higher ratings have special compounds and reinforcements that help avoid excess heat build-up.
HOW TO FIND YOUR TIRE SPEED RATING
If you’re wondering what tire speed rating your vehicle manufacturer recommends, simply look in the manual. You might also find it in the driver’s side door jamb, the gas tank hatch, or inside the glove box door – anywhere that lists the right tire code for your vehicle.
DETERMINING TIRE SPEED RATING
Speed ratings are the product of laboratory testing – with simulated speeds and loads. To receive any kind of rating, a tire must demonstrate that it’s capable of sustaining a particular speed. Industry standards govern the process of reaching and maintaining a given speed during a test.
TIRE SPEED RATING SYSTEM QUIRKS AND ANOMALIES
Today’s speed rating system uses letters A through Z. Each letter corresponds to a specific speed. In general, that speed goes up as the rating advances alphabetically. For example, a tire rated “L” is good for a lower maximum sustained speed than one rated “N.”
COMMON TIRE SPEED RATINGS CHART
The following speed ratings are those you’re most likely to encounter for ordinary vehicles. They begin with a maximum speed of 118 mph (190 kph) and increase from there.
Why is it important to have a tire rating system?
The tire rating system makes it easier to compare different tires and pick the right ones.
How fast can a H rated tire go?
H-rated tires are rated for a maximum speed of 130 mph. The V rating is the next rating faster, and V-rated tires are good to 149 mph. Both H- and V-rated tires are considered to be performance-touring tires.
When were tire speed ratings invented?
Tire speed ratings were first established in Germany in the 1980s to help drivers pick the correct tires for the high speed autobahns. The speed ratings were initially in kilometers per hour, making the conversion to miles per hour somewhat odd for certain speed ratings like 149 mph for the V rating.
